The Greenhouse Audience Development Programme
Following a hugely competitive race to be GGA's Audience Development Intern, Susie Ironside has left her teaching career behind to join the team and get passionate about growing audiences. After completing her whistle-shop introduction to audience development she will soon be dispatched to complete projects with The Citizens' Theatre/TAG and the RSNO.
We would like to thank everyone who submitted Intern proposals, all of which were extremely impressive and provided us with a difficult decision. In the end we chose a venue based option that will allow Susie to delve into the realms of Family Friendly over the coming months as well as give her a chance to experience the logistics of creating and nurturing an audience for a national company in a short space of time!
Don't miss Susie's weekly blog entry on the newly created GGA Myspace where she charts her busy schedule. You already have three to catch up with!
P.S. It seems that Audience Development may just be the new rock and roll! Earlier this year, bosses at a well known building company wanted to recruit 100 apprentices (plumbers, joiners, electricians and bricklayers) and reported that they were 'swamped' with 2,400 applications. However, the two 'Greenhouse apprenticeships' on offer in Glasgow and Edinburgh attracted more applicants per position!
How the GGA Team Shapes Up from November
Julie Tait (Director)
Charlotte Winter (Head of Market Research)
Dianne Greig (Head of Audience Development)
Kirsty McKenzie (Finance & Administration Manager) on maternity leave
Nina Honeyman (Audience Development Assistant)
Susie Ironside (Audience Development Intern)
And we're delighted to welcome ...
Shelly Lamington (Office Manager)
Shelly will be keeping the team in line while Kirsty is off on maternity leave!
GGA Annual General Meeting Reminder
We know you already have the AGM date in your diary but just in case:
27th November, 2007 at 5.30pm. (Venue to be confirmed).
New GGA Members
Marie Blackwood, Dianne McGregor and Claire French - representing venues in North Ayrshire, East Ayrshire and North Lanarkshire Councils respectively - have come together to share experiences, ideas and access new opportunities through a collaborative GGA Membership. An Lochran, Glasgow's Gaelic arts organisation also joins us as Associate Members - Fàilte!
GGA Projects:
With over one hundred research and audience development projects under our belts here is a flavour of some that have been completed over the last few months or are underway...
Celtic Connections
The results of the economic impact study carried out by GGA have been revealed - you can read more on the Evening Times and BBC websites.
In response to an increased programme of events and workshops on offer to everyone aged 3 - 25, we're working with the team to develop an audience development campaign geared around family audiences.
Glasgay! 2007
Research fieldworkers are about to descend on Glasgay! audiences to once again assess the impact and popularity of the events being presented as part of the Festival.
Merchant City Festival 2007
Following on from last year we have completed a second Economic Impact Study of the Festival.
The Arches
A four phase project is getting underway, which will culminate in an audience development campaign following a short period of research and systems auditing.
danceinthecity.com is one year oldThe web stats are showing a steady visitor growth during the first year of the site's existence. Hundreds of dance events and classes have been promoted over recent months on this one-stop shop that's popular with all types of dance enthusiasts.
"it's a very useful site and I wish it could be extended to the rest of Scotland!" Dance Tutor, Aberdeen comments about DITC
NTS and NVA
GGA was commissioned to undertake audience research on behalf of NVA and NTS on their collaboration project - Half Life, a major new landscape work and the first co-production between both organisations. In conjunction with a series of focus groups, research questionnaires were used to assess perceptions of the event and understand more about the audience.
An Lochran
Our knowledge of the Gaelic arts marketplace is being put to the test by the An Lochran team who are accessing our coaching and mentoring service to support a new team member to learn more about the intricacies of audience development!
WASPS' Artists Studios
Following on from last year's research for Open Studios amongst both visitors and artists, GGA is undertaking this year's event evaluation. In addition, we have been asked to carry out a further survey amongst their resident artists to assess the cultural benefit of WASPS in Scotland.
Conquering together!
A collaborative cross art form project to build audiences in Stirling is underway. Macrobert, The Tolbooth and the Changing Room Gallery are sharing data intelligence and resources to build a sophisticated audience profile, target likely new audiences and track results. GGA is providing key research components to inform the development strategy and will evaluate the results.
Dance House
Not only has Dance House moved to a new office in the Merchant City but the company is working on a new business plan. Dance House has recently rebranded, increased its programme of events and services and is growing fast - dance classes are more popular than ever. GGA is providing key market data to inform this strategic planning period.
RSNO
To inform organisational development, GGA is undertaking focus groups with RSNO audience members to uncover their 'relationship' with the company's brand.
Young Audiences Scotland
GGA is working with the Young Audiences Scotland team - Catherine Wheels, Children’s International Theatre Festival, Giant, TAG, Wee Stories and Visible Fictions - to provide them with a research and intelligence service for the duration of the project. Profiling, benchmarking and ongoing evaluation are included in the bumper package! More info...
Scottish Ballet
We're now in phase two of a three phase project with Scottish Ballet where the main aims are to grow and sustain new audiences for the Mixed Bill programme. Phase one results of this long term strategic Test Drive style audience development project have proved very encouraging - excellent response rates to direct mail campaigns, increased programme sales, new audiences - not only to Scottish Ballet but to venues - and increased ticket revenue are but a few of the outcomes so far.
Cultural Pathfinder Programme
"Scotland's Culture" – the then Scottish Executive’s response on the Cultural Review – proposed that pilot projects – Cultural Pathfinders – should be developed to explore approaches to entitlement-setting in different scenarios, helping local authorities discover what would be effective and practical. Glasgow City Council focused on disadvantaged older people and other under-represented groups, such as disabled people and the black and minority ethnic community as part of its inclusion in the programme. Workshops and events have recently taken place and GGA provided an analysis of what participants thought of the sessions.
engage Scotland Conference (31 Oct - 1 Nov) Working with Audiences
You can catch our Charlotte at engage Scotland's annual conference next week where she will be presenting an overview of the changes and influences that will impact on gallery audiences of the future.
Tourism Audiences - Are You Getting Yours?
We had a fantastic turn out earlier this month at a Tourism session we hosted where the discussion was decidedly frank and extremely informative. In only two hours we examined relationships with local, national and international tourism promoters/agencies, areas of concern (and frustration!), successful tourism strategies and campaigns, publication and media lead times – how they fit/coincide with organisations’ event planning, potential collaborators, lobbying opportunities, and much more. Importantly, we agreed that collectively we could make an impact to increase our share of this market. The next meeting will focus on tactical solutions. Date: 13 December, 2007 at 4pm.
Coming Soon! - Speed Networking and Intelligence Service
The full programme for the next session of networking and workshop events will be announced soon. In the meantime, here's an offer that could be right up your street...
Half Price! GGA Special Offer! Book Now!
Do you look forward to meetings, presentations and work events?
When resources are stretched how do you make your case heard?
Do you take on too much work because you can't say no?
Aiming High
Edinburgh, Tuesday 30 October
One day personal communication course which gives you the tools to communicate well in difficult situations with even the trickiest of people. Particularly useful for managers and the newly promoted.
(was £385 +VAT) NOW £192.50 +VAT
Stepping Out
Glasgow, Tuesday 6 November
One day Productive Networking course which gives you the skills and practice needed to make the most of any networking situation and become a confident and successful networker. Never again will you dread networking.
(was £385 +VAT) NOW £192.50 +VAT
GGA has negotiated a one-off half price discount with Voice Business, who has been training people since 1996 in public speaking, presentation and communication skills.
And there's more - a further fast booker discount!
Book by Friday 26th October and receive an extra discount, bringing your total to £150 +VAT. Call 0141 333 9331 and quote “GGA Bonus Ball”
ArtsPasses at the ready!
Check out October's edition of C21 News... for all the latest service industry news and ArtsPass deals on offer to front of house, marketing and box office staff.
